Author's note: From this point on, updates may take a while. I'm in the U.S Army, and I'm deploying to Iraq tomorrow. I should still have internet access, but like I said, updates will take longer. I ask that readers please be patient and bookmark this story so you'll be alerted about updates, I appreciate your reviews, thank you. I intend to continue this fic to its conclusion.
The story thus far - After a daring escape from lawmen, Irvine finds himself headed to Trabia Garden. Meanwhile, Duke Fitzer and his most trusted advisor, Bretham, devise a plot to crush Galbadian supported rebels and opt to have SeeD as a witness to their power by inviting them to a formal ball. Dollet will serve as the SeeD Candidates final exam, a test that will determine what select few makes it into their ranks.
Chapter 8 - Past Regrets
Balamb Garden Dormitory, RM #202
Posters of one of Dollet's most popular rock groups littered the young man's wall, groups that ranged from Gutrich, to Adamantoise Head, and more recently, Toxic Mistress a group which used art of an Anacondaur and a woman seemingly kissing. There was one thing all these bands had in common besides originating from Dollet; they were all banned by the current Dollet government, their members stripped of Dollet citizenship for songs that painted the new Monarchy as little more than a tyrannical dictatorship. Dietrich's room was covered with these posters, various articles of clothing tossed in a corner which he dubbed as the 'wash pile'.
Dressed in his favorite choice apparel, Die sported a pair of blue jeans, his upper-body covered by little more than a stylish black vest, one that left tattooed arms exposed, tattoos that had a painful, deep rooted meaning in his past . A pair of sunglasses worn over oceanic blue eyes, namely to disguise the look of distaste from Barth. Said wore a marine green jumpsuit, one normally worn by mechanic's. The top had been left unzipped, hanging down past his waist in favor of exposing a large white T-shirt which adorned the giant of a man's frame.
"Stop mopin' and pack your stuff, short stuff. We've had two whole days, and you're barely startin' now? Well I'm here to get yer' ass in gear. "
For someone Dietrich - and more than half of Garden - had labeled as little more than a bully, Barth certainly was taking a rather 'big brother' like role in his squad. Maybe they'd all misjudged him? If anything, he was more of a tough love using brute than a bully. The fact he'd come to Dietrich's rescue the way he had had proven him to be loyal and powerful in many peoples books, Dietrich was certain the Headmaster and Instructor Trepe saw it the same way.
"Sure, it's easy to be in such a great mood when you know you're going to make SeeD. "
"What do you mean by that? "
"Don't play dumb, you know you're going to make it. Saving my ass like that, hell, you launched a van into like 5 guys. "
Bildroy scoffed, dismissing the comments with a wave of his skillet sized hand, but it was obvious he was feigning humility, at least a little.
"That's garbage. I didn't really launch it, just sort of moved it a little. Besides, you'll get plenty of chances to save my butt too, like from all the hot dates I'm gonna' get once we get to Dollet. "
Barth let out a deep, almost baritone chuckle, slapping Dietrich on the back, nearly forcing him right off his bed. Dietrich had always struck Barth as a big mouthed show off, one he intended to shut up, but he'd learned Die had quite a bit of bite to his bark. Not many people would have charged into a mess like the one Dietrich had, though he'd had no idea 20 or so men awaited inside the building, Dietrich had still shown a degree of courage, albeit of a foolhardy sort. His new respect for Dietrich was perhaps the reason he opted to motivate him some.
"Funny. Anyway, Dollet's not my kind of town anyway. "
Rubbing at a head of brown, extremely cropped short hair, Barth weighed his teammate's comments with the vast array of Dollet born rock groups that were pasted all over his room.
"Right… "
Knowing full-well what the large man was thinking, Reinhart opted to enlighten Barth on a bit of his history, something he'd only related to Kaira and Mathias; but considering he too had warmed up to Bildroy, he saw no reason to not include somebody who'd proven to be a valuable comrade.
"Look, Dollet's a painful place for me. During the last Galbadian invasion, my family died. Our house was mortared, and when my brother and I returned to it, all we found were ashes. My old man was in there. "
"Well, that explains it. So is that why you're slackin' here? Look, you've gotta' face this kind of crap everyday if you want to be SeeD. If you're too teary eyed to visit Dollet, than you should be tryin' out for the cheerleader's squad, not SeeD, punk. "
The blonde would cast a glare from behind dark shades, his jaw clenched visibly, gnashing his teeth at Barth's harsh commentary, but after letting his troublesome temper calm, he saw truth in the man's advise. A groan, and he'd begin to throw various items into his empty duffel bag. Barth definitely had that tough love thing down to a tee.
"Fine, fine. I'll go, but only to make sure one of those hot dates isn't Kaira. "
"Hah, well we'll see. Anyway, Dollet can't be all that bad. You mentioned you and your brother returning, he'll be glad to see you. "
Dietrich shook his head, his motivation dying a little, and quite visibly.
"No, he died. I .. lost him. We got separated when we were trying to make it aboard some refugee vessels, crushed under a wall of debris, saw it myself.. "
Bildroy winced, wishing he'd not said another word. Dietrich, who was still certain Barth had a point, continued to pack.
"I'll be fine. I may not be looking so great right now as far SeeD's concerned, but I'm not going to let a place like Dollet screw up my chance to make up for our first exam. "
Trabia Garden
It was amazing what one person's will and a lot of help could accomplish, Trabia Garden had been thought a lost cause 6 years ago. No one would touch it, and despite Selphie's lobbying to numerous corporations, no one would even support a reconstruction effort. It'd looked like Trabia Garden would remain a ruin, until Selphie decided she wouldn't let a little thing like no financial support keep her from rebuilding. Admittedly, the first few years had produced little to no results, lack of funding meant progress was sluggish, but the students and supporters of the cause didn't give up, they continued to toil, raising money that still hadn't been enough to fund the project.
Though Balamb Garden's income as well as Galbadia Garden, now under new leadership, had provided as much assistance as they could, Selphie couldn't expect them to give so much that their own programs would suffer as a result. It wasn't until about the end of the third year that funding came from a charity fund based out of Esthar, some wealthy man who seemed to have more money than he knew what to do with. After that, reconstruction had become a steady, encouraging progress. Trabia's building was complete, and all the facilities were near completion.
Headmistress Tilmitt was expected to unveil the school, which despite the destruction had continued accepting students and teaching them even if it was outdoors, in the coming months. Students flooded the site, some had been there before a roof had even been rebuilt, living in tents in support of the reconstruction. Now the halls of Trabia rivaled that of Balamb's own, the Headmistress watched as students and construction crews added finishing touches to the main hall; a wall commemorating all those who had died in the missle attack, and even during the reconstruction.
Considering the cold climate, Selphie had foregone the yellow sundress of her teenage years for attire more befitting a Headmistress, a business-like skirt that hung down just shy of her knees, and a matching black suit-coat, though none of it was without Tilmitt's little touch. Yellow trimmings on the coat, and sunflower currently pinned near right breast pocket.
"Perfect! Let me know when it's done guys, I want to be among the first to pay my respects! "
Excitement beamed off the woman, her short frame hopped up briefly before turning toward her office, hoping to wrap up a few things before she could venture down and pay the wall a visit. The door slid open the second Tilmitt approached it, slipping inside and standing over her computer console. A figure silently treaded behind her while she found herself occupied checking files, and that very same figure would suddenly wrap its arms around her waist, as to keep her still when he went to administer a peck to her cheek.
Irvine Kinneas, dressed in his preferred threads, black hat, and now a matching duster and pants - the chaps remained an earthly tone - would barely get to place his lips on her cheek before he was delivered an oxygen depriving elbow to the sternum.
"Oomf! "
Selphie, after driving her elbow backward, freed herself from his clutches and hopped aside, just about ready to unleash nunchaku-induced death upon her attacker before she realized the man who was keeled over gasping, was none other than..
"Irvy? "
Selphie had a mean elbow, but it was made worse by the fact she'd struck a mending wound, despite the pain, Irvine managed a confident, albeit wince marred smile.
"Ah … miss me? "
Just then Irvine recovered, slowly standing to his full height, one that dwarfed Selphie. She, however, stared at him with a dumbstruck look, one that turned to one of brief joy, brief, because it quickly became an angry one. She shuffled over to him, punching him repeatedly in arm viciously, sometimes Irvine wondered why Zell hadn't been the nunchaku expert and Selphie the one with fists of pure destruction.
"You jerk! Running around not calling, getting all of us worried, not to mention trying to assassinate Presidents! "
Judging from the manner she said the last part, she didn't seem too convinced that had Irvine written on it, something that drew a smile from Irvine, between the winces that was. She still believes me, that's my girl.
"Ow, ow, ow! Stop it, will ya'! I didn't try to get to the President! "
It was enough to keep Selphie from beating his arm into a bloody pulp, she didn't look so much upset now as she looked concerned, and more than a little confused.
"You didn't? "
"No, I was trying to get to Squall. "
"What? "
The beating resumed then, and it wasn't until Irvine shuffled back and took hold of Selphie by the shoulders that she stopped, though an angry pout was still evident on her face.
"I can explain! Look, it's a long story, but let me explain.. "
Trabia Garden Outskirts
Ragnarok had landed a few cliques from their current position, something Squall had done to keep Irvine from possibly spotting the spacecraft.
"Speed it up. "
Leonheart demanded of his team, a few members of Balamb Garden's security force, even a few old and new SeeD. Though none of them were SeeD from the Galbadian War, save for Nida who had stayed to guard Ragnarok. Squall marveled at the sight of Trabia Garden in the distance, commending Selphie mentally for her hard work. He was shaken from his momentary lapse in focus by his daughter, who now tugged at his hand. Squall nodded, and hefted the girl up onto his shoulder, leading the way for the 20 or so odd men with him. We're here for Irvine.
Headmistress Office
"Centra Ruins, Odine..? Is this true? "
Irvine had just related the story to Selphie, Squall's request to journey into the depths of Centra Ruins with him, their discovery of an odd entity, and more.
"Are you sure he tried to kill you? Maybe it was just a misunderstanding! Squall wouldn't do all that.. "
Irvine, who'd reclined back against Selphie's desk, sighed and shook his head. Did she believe him? It was a hard sell, but he knew that if anyone would believe him it had to be Selphie.
"I know what happened, Selphie. Squall tried to kill me, and I'm afraid of what else he might be capable of. "
"I.. I don't know, Irvine. I want to believe you, but you're the one that's been acting strange! Maybe .. maybe that thing did something to you, and you just think it's Squall who's out of his mind! "
"No, Selphie! I'm not crazy. I know what happened, and I have to get to Squall. Why don't you believe me? "
This drew silence from Selphie, Irvine couldn't help but feel a horrible feeling in his chest. Had he hurt her so bad with his immaturity that now she doubted his word, even his sanity?
"Selphie, why were you disappointed? "
"What? What are you talking about? "
"When you broke up with me, I told you I didn't want to settle down in one place, you didn't look hurt at all, you just sort of .. I don't know, I didn't think you'd react the way you did. "
Tilmitt's gaze lowered to the floor, almost out of shame, her hands swung before her, one hand clutching her opposite wrist.
"I wasn't hurt, Irvine, because I expected it. "
"What..? "
The cowboy had brought up a random subject, and he was beginning to realize why. Her response warranted him to stand up right, tipping his hat backward.
"I expected it. Even though we were together for so long, and you stayed faithful to me .. Part of me knew you were still the same old Irvine. That you wouldn't stay even if I asked. "
"Then why ask, Selphie? Why? "
It was vicious strike, more wounding than Lionheart's cold, steely edge. She had never really trusted him, she'd never believed he'd change for her, and what hurt the most was that she had been right. Selphie thought on it for a minute, but before she could respond, something behind Irvine, beyond the hallway, forced her to open her eyes in shock. Irvine swung backward, spotting Leonheart and a group of SeeD and students conversing some of Trabia's own, they pointed the man in the direction of her office.
"Selphie, you've got to hide me! Look, I know you have no reason to believe me, you've been right about me on everything, but you have to trust me on this Selphie! "
"Irvine, I don't know.. Maybe you're sick, maybe Squall can help -- "
Irvine took hold of her, shaking her a little while he lowered in stature to look her in the eyes.
"I'm not sick, Selphie. I know what I have to do, I have to get him, but I won't be able to do it here, not with that many people backing him up. Please, just … don't. "
She seemed intent on saying something to him, but the Cowboy wasted no time in seeking a hideout in a compartment behind Selphie's bookcase, good thing he knew this place almost as well as she did. Only minutes later, Leonheart marched in, a weak smile offered to Selphie.
"Long time. "
Tilmitt feigned a smile, feeling completely torn on the inside, but she'd keep up appearances for now. Was Irvine really telling the truth?
"Yup..hey, where's your daughter, Quisty's told me so much about her! "
"She's playing with some of the kids, you've done a great job here. "
A thankful smile, a faint one, was offered, and she'd circle around her desk to shuffle through some paperwork, something to keep her nervous hands busy. Squall took particular interest in that, and glanced up to the woman's face.
"Selphie, where is he? "
"Um.. "
"He's sick, Selphie. Something is wrong with him, something so wrong I had to stab him just to keep him from killing me. If you love him, you'll tell me, it's the only way to treat him. Do you want Galbadia to get him? They'll kill him. "
Tilmitt tried desperately not to look at the book case, knowing just how close this was to becoming a total disaster. But who to trust? Could she really risk having Irvine caught and killed by Galbadia, should she hand him over to Squall, a trusted friend? Or did Irvine know something else she didn't?
"Why did you tell the Galbadians he wanted to kill the President then? "
"It was a rough decision, I know. I had to, I have to keep him from doing anything crazy, if he was so sick that he'd try to kill me, who knows who else he'd go after. I was hoping that if Galbadia did capture him, I'd be able to barter, get him back somehow, treat him. It'll be easier if I can bring him in, where friends and loved ones can figure out what's wrong with him. "
It made sense really, despite the danger it'd put Irvine in, unleashing Galbadia on Irvine would improve the odds of his capture, and keep him from doing anything insane. Still, Selphie couldn't decide, but she knew Squall's suspicions were growing with each second, she had to respond.
"He's not here. He left a few hours ago. I don't know where. "
Squall sighed, though he wouldn't let off that he didn't believe her.
"Okay, Selphie. Then you won't mind if we stay for a while, make sure he doesn't come back? "
"Do you think I'm lying? That..that he's still here? "
"I think you love him, Selphie. That's all I think right now. "